Seatbelt Rules under the Road Traffic Act 1988

Is it an offence to not wear a seatbelt?

A driver who doesn’t wear an adult seatbelt commits an offence against the rules for seatbelts made under the Road Traffic Act 1988 (“RTA 1988”). Similarly, for someone aged 14 years or more, to sit in the front or back of a motor vehicle, without an adult seatbelt commits to an offence.

Who commits offences for not wearing a seatbelt?

Only the person failing to wear the belt commits an offence. So if the driver is wearing a belt, and his front seat passenger isn’t, the passenger commits to an offence, but the driver doesn’t.

At what age are you liable to an offence for not wearing a seatbelt?

However, please note that if the front seat passenger is under 14 years of age, and is not wearing a belt, then the driver does commit an offence, whether he, the driver is wearing his seatbelt or not. These rules apply, assuming that there are adult belts fitted to the vehicle in question.

What are the penalties for not wearing a seatbelt?

The penalty for breaching these rules for an adult is level 2 fine maximum of £500. These offences are not subject to penalty points.